There still isn't a major gay resort destination on America's Gulf of Mexico shoreline, which isn't terribly surprising given the generally conservative attitudes of residents living between the Florida and Texas gulf coasts. But a few spots have begun gaining a following over the years, among them Pensacola, Florida (where, alas, many right-wing locals have protested gay Memorial Day festivities) and Galveston, Texas. More recently, the pristine barrier beach of South Padre Island - at the very southern tip of the Texas Gulf Coast - has started attracting increasing numbers of gay weekenders and visitors.
This narrow strip of land famed for its gorgeous beaches even has a smallish gay and lesbian hotel-bar complex, the Upper Deck Hotel (120 E. Atol St., 956-761-5953), which has both standard rooms (about 20 of them, with fairly basic but perfectly pleasant furnishings) along with some beach-cottage rentals. Other amenities include a large patio with a pool and hot tub, and a bar, the Crew's Quarters, that's open to the public - it's the island's only gay nightlife option. The hotel is also located near the island's small gay beach, which is at the end of Atol Street. The Upper Deck is neither fancy nor slick - it's just a relatively affordable (under $100/nightly much of the time, and up to $150 during busy holiday weekends and spring break) gay getaway, perfect for couples or friends seeking some seaside R&R in Texas.
Padre Island has become famous as a major spring break destination, but it also has a number of interesting festivals and events throughout the year, including the South Padre International Music Festival in November, the Texas State Surfing Championship in April, a film festival in August, a women's festival in November, and a variety of sports and cultural events. The island is 40 minutes northeast of Brownsville-South Padre Airport/link], which has numerous flights each day from Houston, and an hour from Rio Grande Valley International Airport in Harlingen, which is served by Southweset Airlines with direct flights from Chicago, Houston, Baltimore, Dallas, Austin, and elsewhere. The island is a 4.5-hour drive south of San Antonio, and a 6-hour drive south of Houston.
